Buzz
When did humans begin utilizing containers?Dave Consiglio:
Excellent question! The earliest evidence suggests that humans started crafting containers between 12,000 and 20,000 years ago. It might have occurred even earlier, but this is the most substantial proof we have.
It’s possible, however, that we used natural containers such as gourds long before we started making our own.
My guess is that the first “container” might have been a baby sling.
Humans have been creating clothing since before we were fully modern. The earliest forms of clothing were probably pelts (sewing evidence dates back roughly 40,000 years). We likely cut holes in the pelts to transform them from blankets into clothing. It makes sense that folding your shirt in a way that made carrying a baby easier would have been a crucial early development in the history of clothing.
Another possibility could be the use of stomachs and bladders as containers for water. This innovation is incredibly ancient.
While fossil evidence for this may never surface, it’s highly probable that our ancient ancestors, who had a constant supply of stomachs and bladders, eventually had the clever idea to store water in one for later use.
Finally, there’s the idea of the fire pot. Transporting hot coals from one place to another to simplify fire-starting is another form of an ancient container. A rock with a natural depression, or one that had been carved out, would have worked for this, likely tens of thousands of years ago.
This article was first published on Quora. Click here to view it.
